Moistener for liquid type duplicating machines



SPt 9 1941- E. wlLDERsoN `2,255,405

MOISTENER F"OR LIQUID TYPE DUPLIGATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 30, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VENTOR.

157i (/zlderon Sept. 9, 1941. E. WILDERSON 2,255,405

MOISTENER FOR LIQUID TYPE DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Sept. 50, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N w r INVENTOR,

Sept. 9, 1941. E. WILDERSON MOISTENER FOR LIQUID TYPE DUPLICATING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed sept. 50, 1940 INVENTOR. Ell' ZZ/ZZder'son BY Patentedv Sept. 9, 1941 MOISTENER FOR LIQUID TYPE DUPLICATIN G MACHINES Eli Wildcrson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ditto, In-

corporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of West Virginia.

Application September 30, 1940, Serial No. 359,109

15 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to moistening mechanism of the type employed in connection with liquid process duplicating machines for applying a lm of solvent to a series of copy sheets as they are fed one at a time into impression relationship with a master sheet carried around by a drum. It is the object of the invention to provide a new and improved form and arrangement of parts by which the pressure between the operating parts of the moistening mechanism may be better controlled, by which the alignment of the ductor or spreader roller may be regulated with respect to the moistening roller to which the solvent is applied, and by which preferably the necessary movements of the parts for providing the desired adjustments may be effected by the adjustment of a single part.

In the improved arrangement shown, a spreader roller is mounted in a fountain so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly therein by the adjustment of a single part, such spreader roller being flexibly connected with the adjustment means so as to be adapted to align itself freely with the cooperating parts. In the arrangement illustrated, the spreader roller is rotatably mounted in a yoke which has at its middle point a ball and socket connection with an adjusting screw so that the roller is free to swing either horizontally or vertically in either direction. In this arrangement, the spreader roller is movable yieldingly upwardly against the action of a spring pressing on the yoke and is movable yieldingly away from the moistening roller against the action of two coiled springs pressing on the end portions of a doctor roller engaging the surface of the spreader roller opposite to the mostening roller, the spreader roller having its axis positioned normally a short distance above the axes of both the moistening roller and the doctor roller so that the movement of the spreader roller vertically adjusts the effective pressure of the doctor roller thereon.

It is another object of this invention to improve devices of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which the several objects have been attained are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through the improved mechanism, being substantially a section taken at the line I I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse vertical sectional views taken substantially at the line 3 3 and the line 4 4, respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially at the line 5 5 of Fig. 1; and

5 Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially at the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 at the far side of the machine.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are in- 10 dicated by the same reference characters, I0 and II indicate standards at opposite sides of the machine supported by any suitable means in rigid relation to each other. A drum I2 of any approved type is supported rotatably in position between the standards I0 and Il by vmeans of a heavy shaft I3, the drum I2 being provided with a master sheet I4 on its outer face, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. An impression roller I5 is rotatably supported in position to press a copy sheet against the master sheet I4 in the manner well understood in connection with machines of this type. A combination moistening and forwarding roller I 6 is rotatably supported between the standards I0 and II a short distance to the rear of the impression roller I5, a cooperating roller I1 being rotatably mounted in position directly beneath the roller I6 as is usual in machines of this type. The roller Il is preferably provided with a facing I8 of sponge rubber, being 3Q supported in position by means of a shaft I9 rotatably mounted between the arms 20 pivotally mounted upon the framework. Coiled springs 2| connect ythe rear ends of the arms 20 with suitable portions of the framework for pressing the roller II yieldingly upwardly against the moistenpinion 24 carried by the roller I6, the arrangement being such that the roller I6 moves at the same surface speed as that of the drum I2 and the master sheet I4. In this arrangement, a copy sheet fed from a table 25 is moved forwardly toward the right in Fig. 2 by the forwarding rollers I6 and II from which the paper advances to the drum I2 and impression roller I5 in a manner well understood in machines of this type.

Immediately in rear of the moistening and forwarding roller I6, a spreader roller 26 is rotatably mounted in position by means of a shaft 21 which is journalled in the arms of a yoke 28, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The yoke 28 is connected at its middle point with a spindle 29 by means of a universal connection which in the arrangement shown comprises a ball 30 and a socket 3| by which the yoke 28 and the roller 26 are permitted to swing in any direction with respect to the moistenlng roller I6. In the al'- rangement shown, the spindle 29 is rotatably and slidably mounted in a head 32 which is adjustably mounted by means of screw-threads within a sleeve 33 xedly mounted in position upon a plate 34 serving as a top enclosure for a tank 35 Xedly mounted between the standards I0 and II, as is best shown in Fig. 3. A heavy coiled spring 36 is interposed between the head 32 and the socket 3I for pressing the spindle 29 downwardly.

As is best shown in Fig. 2, the tank 35 is arranged to hold a supply of solvent or other liquid in its lower portion as indicated at 31 so as to wet the lowermost portion of the roller 26. A supply pipe 38 is provided for feeding liquid to the tank, the level of the liquid in the tank being controlled by means of a drain pipe 39 leading from -the tank at its opposite ends, as is best shown in Fig. 3.

At the rear face of the spreader roller 26, a doctor roller 40 is rotatably mounted in position by means of a shaft 4I rotatably mounted in arms or levers 42 pivotally mounted on the end walls of the tank 35, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. Coiled springs 43 connect the arms 42 with a portion of the tank so as to press the doctor roller 40 yieldingly forwardly against the spreader roller 26.

Above the combination forwarding and moistening roller. I6, a guard plate 44 is provided for preventing any possible splashing of the liquid from the moistening roller I6 upon the master sheet I4 carried by the drum. As is clearly shown in Fig. 5, the forwarding roller I6 and the spreader roller 26 are of even length so as to accommodate wiper members 45 at the ends of the rollers, as is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Springs 46 are provided between the wiper blocks 45 and the adjacent ends of the tank 35 for pressing the wipers of the rollers for preventing the accumulation of liquid on the ends of the rollers. In the arrangement shown, pins 41 carried by the end wall of the tank have slidable engagement with the wiper blocks 45 for holding the blocks in operative position.

With the drum I2 rotating in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2, so as to drive the roller I6 also in counterclockwise direction in said figure, the impression roller I5, the forwarding roller I1, and the spreader roller 26 are all driven in clockwise direction in said gure by engagement with the drum and said roller I6. .In the rotation of the roller 26, a supply of liquid is picked up thereby, the thickness of the film of liquid being controlled by the doctor roller 40 which is pressed yieldingly against the rear face of the spreader roller. The arrangement is such by reason of the use of the universal connection between the spreader roller 26 and its supporting means that the spreader roller is adapted to adjust itself to any required changed position between the rollers I6 and 40 for maintaining an equalized pressure relationship. In the construction shown, the axis of the spreader roller `26 is located above the line of centers of the rollers I6 and 40 so that downward movement of the spreader roller is opposed by the springs 43. The springs 43 act accordingly in unison against the force of the spring 36, serving to maintain the firmly against the ends parts at all times in a balanced adjusted condition. When it is desired to adjust the pressure of the spreader roller 26 with respect to the moistening roller I6 and the doctor roller 40, such adjustment is effected by a rotary movement of the head 32 for moving the spreader roller upwardly or downwardly as may be desired.

In the construction illustrated, the combination moistening and forwarding roller 'I6 is providedwith a smooth surface and is comparatively solid. The facing portion of the spreader roller 26 is preferably formed of rubber or other suitable material adapted to yield slightly for maintaining the desired close relationship with the roller I6 regardless of any slight irregularlties therein.

By the use of my improved moistening mechanism, very good results are attainable with respect to the feed of liquid to the moistenlng roller I6. When an adjustment of the pressure is required, such adjustment can be effected very quickly and easily by the manipulation of a single controlling part. In all of its adjusted positions the spreader roller 26 is adjustable smoothly and evenly between the forwarding roller I6 and the doctor roller 40.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrangement of parts as shown in my drawings and as above described, my invention is not limited to the arrangement shown, except so far as the claims may be so limited, it being understood that changes might well be made in the form and arrangement without departing from my invention.

I claim:

1. In a moistening mechanism for applying a nlm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a. doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means adapted by adjustment at a single point to vary the pressure of said spreader roller on both said moistening roller and said doctor roller.

2. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a. liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a spreader roller mountedin contact with said rst-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and adjusting means having an articulated connection with said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward and from said moistening roller and said doctor roller for varying the pressure of said spreader roller on both of said other rollers.

3. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid \process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said rst-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying yielding pressure on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller and adjustable for varying the pressure of the spreader roller against both of said other two rollers.

4. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller mounted in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, yielding means for pressing said doctor roller toward said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable with respect thereto and adapted by movement downwardly to press said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said yielding means, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for pressing said spreader roller downwardly for adjusting the pressure between said spreader roller and said other two rollers.

5. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moisteningggller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller mounted in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, yielding means for pressing said doctor roller toward said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable with respect thereto and adapted by movement downwardly to press said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said yielding means, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means comprising a spring for pressing said spreader roller downwardly for adjusting the pressure between said spreader rollerand said other two rollers.

6. In a moistening mechanism for applying a lm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening rollerfor feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller mounted in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening rctller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, yielding means for pressing said doctor roller toward said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable with respect thereto and adapted by movement downwardly to press said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said yielding means, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liq id to said moistening roller, and means for appl ing pressure downwardly on said spreader roller for varying the pressure between said spreader roller a d said other two rollers and arranged for perm tting the spreader roller to move to changed position horizontally and angularly for maintaining equalized pressure relationship with said other two rollers.

7. In a moistening mechanism for applying a iilm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine, a doctor roller rotatably Ymounted on said levers in -backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a spreader roller mounted between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means comprising a third spring for pressing said spreader roller yieldingly downwardly for adjusting the pressure between said spreader roller and said other two rollers.

8. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine. a doctor roller rotatably mounted on said levers in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a spreader roller mounted between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure downwardly on said spreader roller for varying the pressure between said spreader roller and said other two rollers and arranged for permitting the spreader roller to move to changed position horizontally and angularly for maintaining equalized pressure relationship with said other two rollers.

9. In a moistening mechanism for applying a lm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller and comprising a vertically adjustable member and a universal connection between said vertically adjustable member and said spreader roller for varying the pressure of the spreader roller against both of said other two rollers.

10. In a moistening mechanism for applying a film of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a spreader roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the applicaticn of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller and comprising a vertically adjustable member and a ball and socket mechanism connecting said adjustable member with said spreader roller whereby said spreader roller can be adjusted vertically so as to have equalized pressure on said other two rollers.

11.v In a moistening mechanism for applying a nlm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, a doctor roller in spaced relation to said moistening roller, a4 spreader `roller mounted in contact with said first-named two rollers so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the line of centers of said two rollers, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller, and comprising a vertically adjustable member, a spindle rotatably mounted on a vertical axis in said vertically adjustable member so as to be movable vertically with respect thereto, a spring pressing said spindle downwardly with respect to said vertically adjustable member, and a universal connection between said spindle and said spreader roller for varying the pressure of the spreader roller against both o/f said other two rollers.

12. In a moistening mechanism for applying a lm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine, a doctor roller rotatably mounted on said levers in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a spreader roller mounted between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure downwardly on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller and comprising a vertically adjustable member and a universal connection between said vertically adjustable member and said spreader roller for varying the pressure of the spreader` roller against both of said other two rollers.

13. In a moistening mechanism for applying a nlm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine, a doctor roller rotatably mounted on said levers in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a spreader roller mounted between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader rollerr and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller, and means for applying pressure downwardly on said spreader roller at an intermediate point therealong for moving it toward said moistening roller and said doctor roller, `and comprising a vertically adjustable member, a spindle rotatably mounted on a vertical axis on said vertically adjustable member so as to be movable vertically with respect thereto, a spring pressing said spindle downwardly with respect to said vertically adjustable member, and a universal connection between said spindle and said spreader roller for varying the pressure of the spreader roller against both of said other two rollers.

14. In a moistening mechanism for applying a lm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine, a doctor roller rotatably mounted on said levers in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a transversely disposed yoke extending across above said two rollers, a spreader roller mounted on a horizontal axis on said yoke in position between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, a spindle above said yoke at the middle point therealong, a universal connection between said yoke and said spindle, a vertically adjustable member connected with said spindle for giving the spindle and said spreader roller a vertical adjustment with respect to said first-named two rollers, and means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller.

15. In a moistening mechanism for applying a lm of liquid to the face of a copy sheet in its movement to the impression drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a moistening roller, means cooperating with said moistening roller for feeding a sheet forwardly in" Contact therewith, levers pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the machine, a doctor roller rotatably mounted on said levers in backwardly spaced relation to said moistening roller so as to be movable toward and from said moistening roller, springs bearing on said levers for pressing said doctor roller yieldingly forwardly, a transversely disposed yoke extending across above said two rollers, a spreader roller mounted on a horizontal axis on said yoke in position between said first-named two rollers so as to be pressed forwardly by said springs into engagement with said moistening roller and arranged so that upon downward movement it presses said doctor roller backwardly against the action of said springs, a spindle above said yoke at the middle point therealong, a universal connection between said yoke and said spindle, a vertically adjustable member connected with said spindle for giving the spindle and said spreader roller a vertical adjustment with respect to said first-named two rollers with the parts connected so as to permit the spindle to move vertically with respect to the vertically adjustable member, a third spring pressing said spindle downwardly with respect to said vertically adjustable member, and means for applying liquid to said spreader roller in position to pass between the spreader roller and the doctor roller in advance of the application of the liquid to said moistening roller.

ELI WILDERSON. 

